A 27-year-old temporary election worker, Walter Ringfield, was arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona for allegedly stealing a security fob and keys from the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. The authorities revealed that Ringfield, who was on probation for a previous felony, was taken into custody on Friday. He has been booked into jail on charges of “theft and criminal damage.”
The Ballot Tabulation Center at the Maricopa County Elections Department reported that during their routine daily inventory on Friday morning, they discovered that an item had gone missing. It was determined that the item had been taken the previous night. The department promptly issued a statement to ABC15 regarding this incident.
“On Friday morning, when completing a daily inventory, Maricopa County election workers identified that an item was taken from the Ballot Tabulation Center on Thursday evening,” the Maricopa County Election Department said. “Staff took immediate action to investigate the matter and contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. The stolen item has been recovered but to ensure the integrity of the Maricopa County Elections, election workers are reprogramming and reconducting logic and accuracy testing of all equipment.”
The security fob and keys were allegedly seen being taken by an employee from a desk and placed in his pocket, as shown in security footage. When asked about the incident, Ringfield allegedly denied taking the items. Nevertheless, law enforcement officers visiting his residence the next day noticed “part of the keys” inside his car.
According to reports, the security fob was not recovered. Due to being on probation, Ringfield is said to be ineligible for bond.
